SPORTS BET

Boxing Betting Tips

Boxing betting may not be as big as it once was, but there are still plenty of people who enjoy wagering on fights. This is especially the case when it comes to highly-publicized title fights where two marquee boxers are going head to head. These bouts draw millions of viewers worldwide and a substantial number of bettors too.

As for the bettors, those who put the most work and research into studying fights have an excellent chance to make money through the sport. Seeing as how knowledge is key in any form of sports wagering, let's take a close look at some boxing betting tips that'll improve your chances of winning.

Tip #1 - Don't Ignore the Unknown

While most boxing matches pit well known fighters against each other, there are also plenty of bouts which involve popular champions against unknown contenders. This can definitely be seen when you look at some of the less publicized, smaller weight divisions.

You can often find these little known fighters simply by looking at boxing lines. For example, if a champ is a moderate-to-small favorite over somebody whom you've heard little about, there might be some value here. After all, bookies set up lines based on public perception; so if they're only giving a champ or highly-ranked fighter a small edge on the line, you can bet that there's some value in the underdog. And your research can continue from here.

Tip #2 - Look for Early Warning Signs in Favorites

All too often, a heavy favorite has gone into a fight against a less-heralded opponent, only to get sent to the canvas early and often. But the truth is that if bettors were paying attention long before the bout took place, they would've seen warning signs that the favorite was deteriorating.

Personal problems, poor training habits, and outside distractions can all be factors that weigh heavily on a fighter. And if you combine this with narrow victories to lesser opponents, you might soon be witnessing a great boxer go down.

A good example of this can be seen when Mike Tyson fought Buster Douglas in 1990. This wasn't even supposed to be a contest because Tyson (37-0, 33 KO's) was the far more talented fighter. But just two fights earlier, he struggled against a mediocre Frank Bruno. Plus his world was increasingly becoming about drugs, alcohol and women, rather than training and hard work. All things considered, it wasn't really such a shock when Douglas pulled off boxing's greatest upset with a 10th round knockout.

Tip #3 - Consider Each Fighter's Style

Many boxing fans have heard the old phrase "styles make fights." And these are words that bettors should take to heart since styles can create huge upsets. No matter how skilled a fighter is, they can struggle mightily when facing a solid counter-puncher or southpaw.

For example, Manny Pacquiao dominated most of the opponents he faced throughout his career. However, Juan Manual Marquez has given him fits since he's only 2-1-1 against the skilled counter-puncher from Mexico. Taking this into account, you really need to be aware of what styles a fighter excels or struggles against, and then bet accordingly.

Tip #4 - Ask which Fighter is closer to their Prime

Experience is always nice to have in boxing, but too much experience often coincides with wear and tear. This is especially true of fighters that have been in fierce bouts with highly-skilled opponents. On the other hand, some fighters haven't been battle-tested enough and are too green to take on champions and top-contenders.

And this brings us to one of the more under-served boxing betting tips in looking for fighters in their prime. Somebody who's at the top of their game in terms of stamina, punching power, reflexes and overall skill set has a chance at beating any favorite. To find boxers in their prime, look at how long they've been in the ring, how many difficult fights they've had in a row, and if they've suffered any major injuries.

Tip #5 - Shop for the Best Lines

No matter how much you might like a particular sportsbook, it's always smart to shop around for the best value. The same favorite could be -300 at one book and -200 at another sportsbook. Assuming you wanted to wager on the favorite, you'd be getting a far better deal with the -200 book. So it definitely pays to look around before placing a bet.

One more thing worth adding is that you should always focus on the long-term with regard to boxing betting. Too many novice bettors think wagering is about how they've done during the current week or even day. However, true boxing betting success doesn't happen overnight. But if you remain committed and continually do research, you'll eventually become really good.